Paris Olympics aim to win gold medal for going green
With the Paris Olympics opening ceremony last week, it is encouraging that the organisers are aiming to make them the greenest ever games, said Midlands energy expert Ron Fox.
“The French want to halve the carbon footprint of previous tournaments in London in 2012 which had an estimated 3.3 million tonnes and Rio in 2016 with 3.6 million tonnes,” said Ron, of Noreus Ltd on the University of Keele Science and Innovation Park. “They have even set a carbon budget for everything including buildings and energy to transport and food.
“And they have come up with a number of interesting and innovative ideas for the same city where world leaders met in 2015 to agree to a number of commitments to prevent global temperatures rising by more than 1.5C.”
Buildings: Unlike previous Games which have involved huge, energy intensive new constructions, 95 per cent of the Paris Olympic Games’ competition venues are either pre-existing, or temporary buildings.
Only two of the 35 stadiums hosting events in the French capital, an aquatics centre and a badminton and rhythmic gymnastics arena, are new and are purpose-built using low carbon construction methods. The aquatic centre will be powered by solar panels on the roof and the wooden building will include seats made from recycled local plastic.
To put that in context, said Ron, before London 2012 six new stadium were built and in Rio 2016 ten new sites and seven temporary ones were put up.
Energy: The Games are being run on 100 per cent renewable energy, using biofuel and batteries, instead of relying on fossil fuels. Plus, venues are connected to the grid, cutting down on the requirement for temporary power.
Equipment: A total of 75 per cent of electric and sporting items and 100 per cent of tents and stands will be hired rather than bought.
Athletes’ village: Furniture will include coffee tables made from recycled badminton shuttlecocks, cardboard beds, bean bags from parachute fabric and chairs from recycled bottle caps.
Catering: Organisers are planning to cut the carbon footprint of meals by 50 per cent for everyone, including spectators and the workforce. They are doubling the number of plant-based options and sourcing 80 per cent of ingredients locally, so supporting local farmers and reducing emissions.
Transport: With more than 80 per cent of the competition venues within 10km of the Olympic Village, organisers are using the city’s extensive public transport network to keep travel emissions low. Plus, they’re also adding more than 400 kilometres of new bike lanes. The Games vehicle fleet will include electric, hybrid, and hydrogen-powered vehicles, further cutting emissions.
Opening ceremony: This took place on the River Seine, and not in a stadium, and 30 parade boats were electrically propelled.
After the Games: The Olympic Village will become a residential and business area, offering homes to 6,000 people and jobs for another 6,000.
“Finally,” said Ron, “I hope everyone enjoys a very successful and green Olympic Games.”
For more details on cheaper green energy call him on 0845 474 6641 or go to www.noreus.co.uk
